'Illegal' Shell nets in Glengad removed

ABOUT 150 local people gathered at Glengad on Sunday 26 April, the site where the controversial proposed Shell gas pipeline is to make landfall, to take down what they said were illegal nets.
The locals were already angry over what they described as a vicious assault on local man and anti Shell protestor Willie Corduff on the previous Wednesday night. Corduff is one one of five local men  jailed in June 2005 for contempt of court after refusing to obey a temporary court injunction forbidding them to interfere with work being undertaken by Shell their land.
A group calling itself the United Community of Erris said the nets that were removed on Sunday were in contravention of the EU Habitats Directive.  They were then handed back to the Gardaí at the front gates of the compound.
In a statement the protestors said:
“Further illegal work is currently taking place in the erection of a compound which has not been granted planning by Mayo County Council.  Shell have falsely deemed this development exempt.  Fencing and other ancillary works are not exempt from planning law.”
Leading anti-Corrib gas activist and Shell to Sea spokesperson, Maura Harrington who was recently released after 28 days imprisonment for her protests against the Shell project said: “Shell are flouting the law both in putting these nets in place, and in constructing their compound.  The Gardaí and others are ignoring this lawbreaking, exposing blatant collusion between Shell and the authorities in trying to force this project through.